Ride the roads made famous by the Tour de France!
Our hotel is a chic boutique on the startlingly turquoise Lac d'Annecy with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. Considered one of the most beautiful places in France, our routes will have something for everyone with a flat bike path around the lake, rolling foothills, climbs up historical mountains, and the stage 10 route of the 2018 Tour de France. The food on this trip will also tantalize the senses and make the taste buds dance with local pastries, cheeses, entrees presented as art, and of course wine.
Our hotel is a chic boutique on the startlingly turquoise Lac d'Annecy with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. Considered one of the most beautiful places in France, our routes will have something for everyone with a flat bike path around the lake, rolling foothills, climbs up historical mountains, and the stage 10 route of the 2018 Tour de France. The food on this trip will also tantalize the senses and make the taste buds dance with local pastries, cheeses, entrees presented as art, and of course wine.
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Details: Cycling Centre staff will greet you with a smile and a snack upon your arrival. It is a 45 minute drive to the hotel Clos Marcel. Linking urban loft design with the charm of tradition, the hotel is a mix of luxury and sophistication. You can check in and rest, enjoying the view of Europe's cleanest lake from the comfort of your room, or relax with a beverage on the lovely patio while staff assemble your bikes.
Depending on arrival times, we will go for an easy spin in the afternoon, or swim in the clear blue waters of Lac d'Annecy, just steps away from your hotel room on the hotel's private beach. Dinner will be at the award winning restaurant, Comptoir du Lac, located in our hotel. Known for their high quality and impressive presentation, the set menus will be sure to inspire and realize a culinary delight. |
DAY TWO: COL DE L'EPINE AND LOOP OF LAC D'ANNECY
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Ride Description: Be sure to look around on this ride! Our week begins with a relaxing ride along a flat bike path before heading up the quiet and charming roads to Col d'Epine, a 7 km climb with grades of 7-10%. The second half of our loop will be around lac d'Annecy with a coffee stop in the beautiful town of Annecy for some people watching.
Enjoy a drink and patisserie on one of the many patios and people watch, explore the many shops that line the canals, or venture up to Chateaux d'Annecy for which the town was built around it's base. |
DAY THREE: COL DE LESCHAUX AND THEN SOME
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Ride Description: The three ride options today all begin up the Col de Leschaux, a 12 km ride up, but with gradients averaging 4%. The twists and turns take you up in to the forest and through landscapes rich in wealth and beauty.
Details: Post ride massages are scheduled for today. Relax under the shade of the tree, listen to the lapping water, while a sport massage therapist kneads away any aches and pains. We will walk to a local restaurant for dinner tonight and relish in delicacies such as lemon burata. |
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Ride Description: There are 2 route options today, epic and more epic! The shorter route includes part of stage 12 of the 2018 Tour de France with the Lacets de Montvernier, a gem of a climb at 4 km long, with 18 switchbacks ranked one of the most beautiful climbs in the world. Our love affair in the Alps will continue up to Col du Chaussy, offering some of the most amazing views of the week as we enjoy a sweeping descent from there to the start of the Col de la Madeleine. Riders can choose to turn right and summit the Madeleine or turn left and finish their ride.
The second route is one of the most infamous and most difficult in the Alps, the Marmotte! Including some of the biggest Tour de France mountains, the Telegraphe, Galibier, Glandon, and the king of climbs Alpe d'Huez, this ride will challenge experienced riders. Those who tackle it will experience forest green pastures, cascading waterfalls, stone bridges, to many switchbacks to count, and salt encrusted shorts to be worn as a badge of honour.
Details: Al riders will shuttle 75 min to the start of the ride in La Chambre and loop around to the finish in La Chamber as well where we will enjoy a casual dinner before shuttling back to the hotel. |
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Ride Description: Clara Hughes has named the ride around Lac d'Annecy as one of her favourites. Today is a recovery ride, with a flat ride around this gorgeous lake. Mostly on bike paths, or quiet roads, there are many opportunities to enjoy the diversity of the towns on the shores of the glistening water. Looking for a bit of a challenge? Then enjoy the optional 11 km climb up the Col de la Forclaz for some really spectacular views of Lac d'Annecy. We will take a rest on one of courtyards in Talloires, overlooking the intoxication blue waters.
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Ride Description: There are three loops to choose from today, with the longest being Stage 10 of the 2018 Tour de France. Here is a video of what to expect, as well as a great article. Riders on the long route will finish in Le Grand-Bornand and be shuttled 45 min back to the hotel. Riders on the shorter route will branch off and finish back at the hotel.
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Ride Description: Sporting some of the best views of the surrounding mountains and Lac d'Annecy, the climb up le Semnoz offers many rewards. Featured as the penultimate finish of the Tour de France in 2013, today you will have a chance to tackle this friendly giant from all three sides. Get in to a rhythm and enjoy the twists and turns through the forest before the panoramic views stun and amaze with Mont Blanc.
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DAY EIGHT: DEPARTURE DAY
INCLUDEDNOT INCLUDED
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FEES IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
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